Monday, November 03, 2014

MURFREESBORO — Members
of the MTSU campus community are putting their signatures where their
sensibilities lie in saying “no” to sexual assault.

At an Oct. 28 pledge drive at the Student Union, the
Interfraternity Council collectedpromises from 136 people to get off the sidelines and get involved when
they see sexual assault happening or about to happen.

MTSU’s involvement in the “It’s On Us” campaign is part of a
national initiative launched in September by President Barack Obama and Vice
President Joe Biden.

“Its primary purpose is to address sexual assault issues on
college campuses and across the nation in general,” said Donald Abels,
coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Students had their photos taken holding signs that read
“It’s on us to look out for someone who has had too much to drink,” “It’s on us
to never blame the victim,” and other similar statements.

The actual promise reads: “I pledge to recognize that
nonconsensual sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual
assault may occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot
be given, to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and
survivors are supported.”

“It’s time for us as men to actually take a stand, to try
and show that we’re more than just saying, ‘Hey, I’m True Blue,’” said Josh
Hollingsworth, vice president for philanthropy and community service for the
Interfraternity Council. “We believe in the words that we speak every day as
fraternity men.”

To spread the word, MTSU fraternities and sororities are
touting the “It’s On Us” campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The
Twitter hashtags are #itsonus and #truebluemove.